Dean Smith wasn't happy with Brentford's performance in the first 50 minutes of their 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield.

The Bees fell behind to Elias Kachunga's header early in the second half and, although Nico Yennaris equalised 15 minutes from time, Kasey Palmer's late strike handed the Terriers a deserved victory.

And Smith bemoaned the fact his side couldn't support striker Scott Hogan and the injuries that have afflicted his squad in pre-season.

“We never got close enough to Scott Hogan to support him for long periods. Romaine Sawyers and Lewis Macleod aren't wide players so aren't going to go on the outside but they're clever footballers,” Smith said.

“They never opened us up and only had half-chances. Our organisation was good. It became a tactical battle.

“They got their tails up before half-time and started the second half like that. At the moment we've got players who aren't 90 minute match fit.

“Our plan was to change it on the hour mark as we have players who aren't 90 minute match fit. I felt we had to make it earlier than 60. I felt that gave us momentum and changed the game slightly.”

Josh McEachran, in particular, was off the pace at the John Smith's Stadium and Nico Yennaris, who has been injured for the majority of pre-season, immediately improved the Brentford side.

Josh McEachran (Image: Lewis Darling)

Smith, though, attributed the former Chelsea man's underwhelming performance to stepping up his recovery from a broken foot.

He said: “Josh's first game was Wycombe in pre-season. He's not been able to play until then. He's had to get through 60 minutes today as Nico had an infected toe and had to have an injection to get on the pitch.

“We've just got a couple of injuries. Maxime Colin didn't make it with is calf. Andreas Bjelland is out at the moment.

“I don't want to make excuses as I believe this squad has a lot of quality. Yoann Barbet hurt his ankle and had to pull out at the last minute.”

Harlee Dean was named as the Brentford captain and Smith has told the defender that the armband is his to lose.

Harlee Dean (Image: Lewis Darling)

He added: “I said to Harlee that he's got the armband and it's his to keep but he's got to perform to stay in the team as we have players who will push him all the way.

“He's got the armband and he's determined to keep it so he has to play well.”

Brentford, still, haven't added bodies in wide areas and Smith remains hopeful something can be done before the end of the transfer window.

He explained: “We know we've got to improve in wide areas and we need a bit of pace. There'll be something in before the end of the window.”